Former teacher at Portadown College

Helen McClenaghan was a teacher at Portadown College before moving to the Southern Education and Library Board - where she served as chief executive from 1998 until her retirement in 2009.

Mrs McClenaghan was awarded an OBE for her services to education in Northern Ireland in 2006.

The Church of Ireland Board of Education (Northern Ireland) said Mrs McClenaghan had given a “lifetime of service” to the church.

In a warm tribute Bishop Ken Good, who worked closely with Mrs McClenaghan while chairing the Board of Education, said: ‘Helen McClenaghan’s contribution to education in Northern Ireland has been quite exceptional.

“Her influential work as chief executive of the Southern Education and Library Board was widely admired and respected. Both before and after her retirement, she was particularly generous to the Church of Ireland with her time and expertise, serving on diocesan and central Church boards of education and other committees.

“I greatly valued and appreciated her constructive wisdom, her clarity of mind, her spiritual perspective and her good-natured humour.

“I extend my sympathy to Helen’s husband, Stephen, their daughter, Frances, and to her wider family circle.”

The Archbishop of Armagh and Chairman of the Board of Education, the Most Revd John McDowell, paid his own tribute, describing Mrs McClenaghan as a “great friend and source of encouragement”.

He said: “Helen has been at the centre of education policy and practice for many years, and shared her enthusiasm and knowledge with a very characteristic directness and verve.

“I join with all those who knew and worked with Helen in offering my personal sympathies to those who are most sorely bereaved of her.”